Degree Highlights
- Engage with diverse media to deliver impactful outcomes that enhance user experiences and brand voice.
- Gain practical insights through internships or off-campus study opportunities.
- Design real-world projects through involvement in Montreat's design club, school newspaper, literary magazine, and more.
For over 30 years, Montreat College’s School of Adult and Graduate Studies has empowered students to acquire essential skills, complete their degrees, and advance their careers. Montreat offers undergraduate, graduate, and certificate programs both in the classroom and online.
How soon can I start?
With six start dates a year for most programs you have the flexibility to start when makes the most sense for you. Chances are we have classes starting in the near future, providing you the opportunity to move forward with your academic goals. Please see the admissions page for specific enrollment and start dates.
What are the admissions requirements?
Applicants must submit the following for admissions consideration:
- Montreat College Application for Admission
- Official, final transcripts of all college courses taken*
- Overall grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale or higher in all previous college work attempted.
- Official, final high school transcript or its equivalent (if transferring less than 12 semester credits of college credit)*
- American Council on Education (ACE) verification demonstrating any eligible CLEP and DSST examinations, and non-collegiate military training.
*All final transcripts must include graduation information
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What are the program requirements?
- Completion of the Bachelor General Education Core (39 credits)
- Completion of the BSM prerequisite CYBR 1131 also required in the Gen-Ed
- Completion of the BSM Courses (39 credits)
- Completion of electives to reach 120 credits**
- Completion of Capstone Project (culminates in BUSN 4416)
- Completion of 120 credit hours (two terms and 32 credit hours must be completed at Montreat College)
ENGL 3510 in the major can fulfill the Gen-Ed oral competency requirement.
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Why Visual Communication and Experience Design?
Learn how to research, design, and implement experiences, brands, and interactions. Through an interdisciplinary and collaborative approach, Montreat’s Visual Communication and Experience Design program provides students with a strong foundation in experience design and graphic design, enabling them to create integrated design solutions.
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Cost-conscious
commitment
Financing college can be intimidating, which is why we’ve developed programs and opportunities to help you.
Why Montreat?
At Montreat College, we understand the unique challenges adult learners face. That's why we've created a program that empowers you to balance work, family, and education without compromising your career ambitions.
Flexible scheduling
Our classes are conveniently scheduled, so you can earn your degree while still meeting your daily commitments.
Supportive community
Join a close-knit community of experienced faculty who are dedicated to your success. As an AGS student, you're part of the Montreat family.
Affordable tuition
We are committed to making a Christ-centered education as affordable as possible, so you can achieve your educational goals. That’s why Montreat College tuition is nearly 25% lower than the national average for private colleges and universities.
Relevant programs
Montreat College offers a wide range of degree programs and certificates in fields such as Business Administration, Education, Counseling, and more. Our programs are designed to align with industry trends and provide you with the skills employers are seeking.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to complete the Visual Communication and Experience Design (VCXD) degree program?
A Bachelor’s Degree is 120 credit hours and can take one to four years to complete depending upon the amount of credits you transfer in.
How much does the Visual Communication and Experience Design (VCXD) degree program cost?
Montreat College programs are competitively priced, and we offer multiple forms of financial aid to help you achieve your educational goals. Please see the current AGS Tuition and Fees page. Also, please keep in mind that there are multiple college and government financial aid programs available to help mitigate the cost of your education. You can learn more about your financial aid options.
What jobs can you pursue with a Visual Communication and Experience Design (VCXD) degree?
This degree sets you up for a broad range of creative and strategic careers that sit at the intersection of art, design, technology, and user experience such as Graphic Designer, Web Designer, Visual Designer, Art Director / Creative Director in various tech, marketing, advertising, education, healthcare, nonprofit, and corporate industries.
What are the length of online courses?
All courses are eight-week sessions. There are 2 sessions in a semester. To be considered a full-time undergraduate student, a student must take 12 credit hours per semester. For the 12 credit hours, the student must take 2 courses (6 credit hours) the first eight-week session and 2 courses (6 credit hours) the second eight-week session. Semesters in this program are Spring, Summer, and Fall.
What is the job market like for people with a Visual Communication and Experience Design (VCXD) degree?
While traditional graphic design is projected to grow by just about 2% over the next decade, roles in digital and user-experience design (e.g. web and digital designers) are forecast to grow by around 7%. This divergence underscores that market demand for graduates with a Visual Communication & Experience Design degree is shifting strongly toward the digital/experience side. Graduates who align with UX, UI, digital product design, and interactive experience stand in much better stead than those focusing purely on print or static media.
What graduate programs this degree prepare me to apply for?
- Master of Fine Arts (MFA)
- Master’s in Digital Media or Interactive Design
- Master’s in Information Design & Data Visualization
- Master of Arts in Communication
What courses will I study?
COMM 3349 Graphic Design and Adobe Creative Suite
An introduction to the fundamental principles of design and Adobe Creative Suite software. Students learn about design thinking, typography, color theory, layout, and image manipulation techniques using Adobe Acrobat, Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign. Through hands-on projects and assignments, they develop skill in creating designs for print and digital media, including flyers, brochures, logos, and websites. Lectures and exercises provide students with a solid foundation in visual literacy and software proficiency.
COMM 1203 Communication Theory and Research
An examination of the process through which humans create and share meaning and strive to understand, relate to, and influence others. A survey of scientific and interpretive theories of interpersonal, group, public, and mass communication categories. Emphasis given to diversity of historical scholarship in communication theory, verbal and non-verbal dynamics, and the process of evaluating contexts, motivations, and solutions within communication scenarios.
COMM 2228 Media Ecology & Social Media
A survey of media as a convergent phenomenon in its historical, industrial, and cultural manifestations, this course examines how systems have developed nationally and globally. Case studies in television, film, recorded music, print, video games, and online communication are used to analyze production processes, job roles, and social receptivity.
COMM 2347 Newswriting & Digital Content Creation
An introduction to the principles and practice of journalism: how to recognize good stories, gather facts through skillful interviewing and research, develop sources, craft strong leads and nut graphs, all while creating news articles that inform and engage the reader. Emphasis given to rewriting with a goal to achieve accuracy, clarity, and a lean prose style suitable for print and online platforms. Students also learn headline and caption writing, the importance of deadlines and writing to word count, and how to structure narratives for different types of readerships.
COMM 3353 Packaging & Print Design
A project-based course focusing on intermediate-to-advanced techniques of layout and creation of flat, multi-page, and design for printed 2D and 3D objects. Topics include project ideation, materials, typography, document preparation, and creation of production-ready work. A projectbased course immersing students in Adobe Illustrator and InDesign applications. Prerequisite: COMM 3349, or consent of professor.
COMM 3357 Typography
A project-based immersion into the study of typography and intermediate and advanced Adobe Illustrator and InDesign skills. Students develop typographic thinking by drawing letter forms, working with word, text, and grid, and researching type history and specimens. Emphasis on readability and legibility of type, effective use of type in layouts, and awareness of typography as a formative element of design cultures. Prerequisite: COMM 3349
COMM 3359 UI/UX & Digital Experience
An introduction to the design of effective and engaging digital experiences. Focus on user-centered design principles and techniques. Topics covered include user research, information architecture, interface design, usability testing, and visual design, with an emphasis on designing for multiple devices and platforms. Through hands-on projects, students learn to create wireframes, prototypes, and final designs for websites, mobile apps, and other digital products. Emphasis given to optimization of user experiences across different channels and touchpoints. Students utilize prototyping applications Adobe XD and Figma. Prerequisite: COMM 3349.
COMM 4313 Brand Experience
An engagement with the concepts, strategies, and tools used to create and manage brands as corporate assets that convey shareholder value. Students develop fluency in: 1) understanding brand positioning; 2) managing total brand experience; 3) maintaining brand relevancy; 4) evaluating brand equity; and 5) mapping brand extension strategies. Projects help students learn to create and manage successful brands that resonate with customers and drives business growth. Prerequisite: COMM 3349.
COMM 4441 Communication Internship
An intensive, quality, structured learning opportunity that immerses students in appropriate professional contexts. Supervision of the internship is a shared responsibility between the faculty advisor and on-site supervisor. Prerequisite: Prerequisite: INDS 3610, COMM 3349, and approval of Department Chair.
COMM 4457 Design Thinking & Research
A workshop-format class focusing on user-centered design and research methodologies. Students learn principles and practices of design thinking, including empathy, prototyping, and testing. Emphasis given to ethnography, surveying, and data analytics. Group projects enable students to collaborate as they apply ideation techniques to real-world problem cases. Through reading and discussion, they also develop the ability to understand, explain, and critically evaluate consumer research reported in scholarly journals and the popular press.
COMM 4471 Experience Design
An exploration of the process of creating meaningful and memorable experiences for users across various touchpoints and channels. XD principles and methods examined include user research, persona development, prototyping, usability testing, interaction design, visual design, storytelling, and service design. Students learn to apply business-oriented techniques to create user-centered and context-aware experiences, using user feedback and data analysis to shape websites, mobile apps, physical spaces, products, and services. Prerequisite: COMM 3349.
COMM 4479 Publication Experience II
An extended opportunity for students and faculty to examine current issues or specialized topics related to publication at an upper level of study (appropriate for junior or senior academic experience). Topics will be determined by the department. Class will meet 45 hours.
COMM 4491 Design Studio
Students complete a thesis project and final cumulative professional portfolio for this culminating senior workshop A departmental committee specifies the thesis parameters, approves the topic, and evaluates both the thesis and final portfolio. Prerequisite: COMM 3349
INDS 3610 Communication Arts Career Readiness & Portfolio
The purpose of this course is to prepare students for the practicum/internship experience. Topics included are internship selection, making the most of the internship, resume building, and facing internship challenges.